By Scott Sherman

San Diego is blessed to have a beautiful ecosystem of beaches, bays, and waterways that stretch from the coast to District 7 and beyond. While we have been blessed with this beautiful natural landscape, it is also our responsibility to take care of it.

This is why the city of San Diego is offering rebates for homeowners to install rain gutters on their homes to help conserve water and divert rainwater from paved surfaces and storm drains.

Rebate amounts range from $62.50 to $500 depending on the quantity and type of materials (PVC, aluminum, steel) used for the gutters.

Rain gutters efficiently capture rainwater from rooftops and divert runoff away from paved surfaces and storm drains and into a green space, landscapes, and/or rain barrels. Diverting rainwater naturally filters out pollutants, which can otherwise flow into San Diego’s storm drains and eventually into our ocean, bays and estuaries. Rain gutters also protect a home’s roof and foundation.

The rebate comes just in time for winter months when San Diego normally gets the most rain. More information about this and other rebates, as well as additional water conservation options, is available on the city’s website at sandiego.gov/rebates.

Do your part to help protect our environment and save money while you’re at it!

—San Diego City Councilmember Scott Sherman represents the District 7 neighborhoods of Mission Valley, Grantville, Allied Gardens, Del Cerro and San Carlos.